NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. attorney in New Orleans says a Spanish-language interpreter for the Terrebonne Parish public defender's office is accused of soliciting bribes from immigrants who arrived in this country without legal permission.

Kenneth Polite Jr. says 45-year-old Trina Marie Bourg of Houma allegedly said she would use the money to bribe federal immigration officials to delete charges or detainers from their records.

Reached at home Sunday, Bourg said she could not immediately comment.

An indictment handed up Friday alleges that she would identify people who faced criminal charges and possible deportation, and get in touch with them without their attorneys' knowledge.

She is charged with one count of wire fraud. If convicted, she could get up to 20 years in prison.